Multiple concurrent data link management

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of determining an allocation of data across multiple data communications networks. A respective characteristic of the first data communications network and the second data communication network are determined based on receiving a respective first and second portion of a data set sent through respective channels to a receiver. Based on determining these respective characteristics and based upon the respective characteristics, an allocation of data between the first data communications network and the second communications network is determined such that the allocation satisfies at least one data transfer performance requirement associated with the data set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims priority from prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/307,601, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. ______, the entire disclosure of which being hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communicationsdevices and more particularly to communications devices that communicateover multiple data links.

BACKGROUND

Modern electronic devices, particularly end user data terminals such assmart phones, portable computers, personal digital assistants, tabletcomputers, and the like, are increasingly used to perform functions thatrequire the transfer of data either to or from the device. The datatransfers to these devices, from these devices, or to and from thesedevices sometimes have associated data communications performancerequirements. For example, streaming data presentations such as audiopresentations, video presentations, or combinations of audio and videopresentations, are able to have minimum data transfer speed and maximumdata packet transfer latency requirements in order to properly presentthe streaming data content to the user.

Electronic communications devices are also sometimes able tosimultaneously transfer data over multiple data communications networks.In normal operation, these devices often transfer data using one datacommunications network that is selected based upon user input or that isselected automatically based upon specified user preferences. Forexample, a device may be able to transfer data over a Wireless LocalAccess Network (WLAN) interface, such as is defined by internationalstandards including IEEE 802.11 defining, for example, the Wi-Fi®standard, or by cellular data communications networks such as 3rdGeneration (3G) or 4th Generation (4G) cellular data communicationsnetworks. User preferences may specify that WLAN interfaces arepreferred over cellular data communications networks. The reason forthis user preference may be the relative costs of these two links.However, reasoning such as cost consideration is usually not explicitlyspecified or further analyzed in an automated decision process. Giventhis preference, the device generally will use the WLAN link regardlessof that link's performance or reliability.

Therefore, the ability of electronic devices to satisfy data transferrequirements is affected by inefficiently utilizing available datacommunications links.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which together with the detailed description below areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a multiple data link wireless communications scenarioaccording to one example;

FIG. 2 illustrates a data transfer from a data sender to a datareceiver, in accordance with one example;

FIG. 3 illustrates a data link monitoring process, in accordance withone example;

FIG. 4 is a determine data allocation process, in accordance with oneexample;

FIG. 5 is a streaming data performance requirement determinationprocess, according to one example; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device and associatedcomponents in which the systems and methods disclosed herein may beimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples andthat the systems and methods described below can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the disclosed subject matter in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms andphrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, toprovide an understandable description.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein,is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically. The term “configured to” describes hardware,software or a combination of hardware and software that is adapted to,set up, arranged, built, composed, constructed, designed or that has anycombination of these characteristics to carry out a given function. Theterm “adapted to” describes hardware, software or a combination ofhardware and software that is capable of, able to accommodate, to make,or that is suitable to carry out a given function.

Described below are systems and methods that are applied to transferringdata over multiple data links where these multiple data links includedata communications networks that use different data communicationsprotocols. A receiving device that is in communications with atransmitter via multiple available data links monitors the performancecharacteristics of each available data link. Receivers for eachavailable data link include capabilities to measure, for example,current data reception rates, current data transmission latencies, andother relevant performance characteristics of each data communicationslink. Using this data, the receiver determines an allocation of dataacross the available data links such that transmission performancerequirements for the particular data set are satisfied. In one example,a streaming data set may have a minimum data transmission throughputrate for a steady state streaming mode and a data transmission latencyrequirement specified as a maximum time delay between data packetreception.

The data allocation determined by the below described system and methodsare based upon costs for using each data link. In various examples,different cost parameters are able to be assessed for using a particulardata link. Monetary costs of transferring data over a particular datalink is one cost that can be evaluated and used to determine a selecteddata allocation between or among the available data links. Other costs,such as power consumption by various radios in the receiver, are able tobe assigned to the different data links and those costs are able to beincorporated into a determination of a data allocation. Once theallocation of data is determined at the receiver, the receiver sends anindication of the allocation of data to the transmitter of the data. Thetransmitter then allocates the data between or among the various datalinks according to the indication sent by the receiver.

In one example, the receiving device continually monitors the continuedavailability of existing data links and the availability of any new datalinks that are able to be used to communicate with a data transmitter.The receivers in the receiving device further continue to monitor theperformance characteristics of available data links. As the performancecharacteristics of the available data links change, as a new data linkbecomes available, or as an available data link is lost, a reallocationbased upon costs values and also based on the determined performancecharacteristics of the currently available links is determined. If thereallocation improves (i.e. decreases) the cost of transferring the dataset, the reallocation is communicated to the transmitter and used fordata transmission to the receiver.

FIG. 1 depicts a multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100according to one example. The wireless communications scenario 100depicts a wireless communications device 102 that is in a physicallocation that supports wireless data communications over multiple datacommunications networks. In this illustrated example, the wirelesscommunications device 102 is shown to be in wireless communications viathree data links. Two of the data links include wide area wireless datanetwork base stations: a 3rd Generation (3G) network base station 110and a 2nd Generation (2G) network base station 114. The third data linkincludes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) base station, or AccessPoint, 112. In one example, the wireless communications device 102 is aportable device that supports concurrent data communications sessionsover two or more wireless data networks, as is described below.

The 3G base station 110 is able to support wireless communications withthe wireless communications device 102 through a 3G wireless datacommunications link 120. The 3G base station 110 is able to supportwireless communications with the wireless communications device 102using, for example, a 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS) network protocol. The 2G base station 114 is able to supportwireless data communications with the wireless communications device 102through a 2G wireless communications link 124. The 2G base station 114is able to support wireless communications with the wirelesscommunications device 102 using, for example, a 2G Global System forMobile communications (GSM) network protocol. In general, the 3G basestation 110 and the 2G base station 114 are each part of a respectivenetwork of base stations that provide wireless data and voicecommunications services over a broad geographic area using theirdifferent respective protocols.

The WLAN base station 112 is able to communicate data with the wirelesscommunications device 102 through the WLAN wireless data communicationslink 122 by using any suitable short range wireless protocol. Examplesof protocols able to be used by the WLAN base station 112 include Wi-Fi®protocols defined by the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, Bluetooth®data communications protocols, and the like.

The multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100 shows aserver 104 that stores data to be transferred to a wirelesscommunications device 102. In general, the server 104 is able to store,for example, streaming data files such as streaming video, streamingaudio, and the like. Streaming data files store data that is sent to aconsuming device, such as the wireless communication device 102, and theconsuming device uses or presents the received data as it is received.In an example of streaming video, streaming video data is transferred tothe wireless communications device 102. The wireless communicationsdevice 102 receives and accumulates an initial portion of thetransferred streaming video data until a determined amount of data isaccumulated into a buffer. The determined amount is defined by athreshold amount of data that is stored in the buffer and has not beenconsumed by the receiving device. The threshold amount is not generallydirectly related to the total size of the streaming video data file thatis to be transferred. After the determined amount of unconsumed data isaccumulated in the buffer, the wireless communications device 102 beginsto process the received data and present the video images to the user.Presenting the video images of the received streaming video data isgenerally performed concurrently with receiving additional streamingvideo data.

The multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100 illustratesa number of data communication flows. The operation of one exampleallows a data file, such as a streaming data file, to be allocatedbetween or among multiple data links for transmission to a receiver,such as the wireless communications device 102. The multiple data linkwireless communications scenario 100 includes a data allocationprocessor 106 that receives streaming data from the server 104 that isto be sent to a receiving device, such as the wireless communicationsdevice 102. The data allocation processor 106 bases the allocation ofdata across multiple data links based upon information received from thewireless communications device 102. The data allocation processor 106communicates with a wide area network 108, such as the Internet or otherpublic or private wide area communications networks, to perform datacommunications with one or more wireless communications devices 102through, for example, the 3G network base station 110, the 2G networkbase station 114, and the WLAN base station 112. In further examples,the wide area network 108 is able to include wired data communicationssystems such as wired Internet connections, circuit switchedcommunications networks, packet switched communications networks, orcombinations of these types of wired networks.

The multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100 shows a 3Gdata link 130 that depicts one data transmission path between the dataallocation processor 106 and the wireless communications device 102.Data transferred via the 3G data link 130 to the wireless communicationsdevice 102 is conveyed through the wide area network 108 to the 3Gnetwork base station 110 and is further transferred over the 3G wirelessdata communications link 120 to the wireless communications device 102.The wireless communications device 102 is able to send data back to thedata allocation processor 106, or to the server 104, using the 3Gwireless data communications link 120 through a 3G return data link 140.The 3G return data link 140 conveys data through the 3G wireless datacommunications link 120 to the 3G network base station 110 and the datais then communicated through the wide area network 108 to the dataallocation processor 106 and, if required, to the server 104.

The multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100 also shows a2G data link 134 that depicts another data transmission path between thedata allocation processor 106 and the wireless communications device102. Data transferred via the 2G data link 134 is conveyed through thewide area network 108 to the 2G network base station 114 and is furthertransferred over the 2G wireless data communications link 124 to thewireless communications device 102. The wireless communications device102 is able to send data back to the data allocation processor 106, orto the server 104, using the 2G wireless data communications link 124through a 2G return data link 144. The 2G return data link 144 conveysdata through the 2G wireless data communications link 124 to the 2Gnetwork base station 114 and the data is then communicated through thewide area network 108 to the data allocation processor 106 and, ifrequired, to the server 104.

The multiple data link wireless communications scenario 100 furthershows a wireless LAN data link 132 that depicts one data transmissionpath between the data allocation processor 106 and the wirelesscommunications device 102. As depicted, data transferred via thewireless LAN data link 132 is conveyed through the wide area network 108to the wireless LAN base station 112 and is transferred over thewireless LAN data communications link 122 to the wireless communicationsdevice 102. The wireless communications device 102 is able to send databack to the data allocation processor 106, or to the server 104, usingthe wireless LAN data communications link 122 through a wireless LANreturn data link 142. The wireless LAN return data link 142 conveys datathrough the wireless LAN wireless data communications link 122 to thewireless LAN base station 112 and the data is then communicated throughthe wide area network 108 to the data allocation processor 106 and, ifrequired, to the server 104.

Although the above description depicts wireless data links, furthercommunications scenarios are able to include data links between the dataallocation processor 106 and a remote device that includes wired datalinks to the remote device. Examples of such scenarios include a remotedevice that is connected to the wide area network 108 by a low speed orunreliable wired data link. In such an example, the lower performancewired data link is able to be augmented by wireless or higher cost wireddata links through the systems and methods described below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a data transfer 200 from a data sender 280 to a datareceiver 282, in accordance with one example. The data transfer 200shows a data sender 280 that includes a transmit data buffer 202 thatcontains, for example, a streaming data set that is to be transferredover multiple data links that are each implemented over respective datacommunications networks. The data set contained in the transmit buffer202 is divided into a number of data packets for transmission over themultiple data links. In one example, the data sender 280 includes a dataallocation processor 272 that allocates data within the transmit databuffer 202 between or among two or more data links for transfer to thedata receiver 282. As described below, the data allocation processor 272receives information from a data link analyzer 274 within the datareceiver 282 to support the allocation of data over the multiple datalinks.

The data transfer 200 depicts the transfer of a data set in the transmitbuffer 202 to the data receiver 282 by allocating that data fortransmission across two data links for transmission from the data sender280. The two data links shown for this example are a low speed data link206 and a high speed data link 208. The allocation of data between oramong data links is based, in this example, partially on the cost oftransferring data over the respective data links. In this example, thecost of transferring data over the low speed data link 206 is assumed tobe lower that the cost of transferring data over the high speed datalink 208. The costs associated with transferring data over a particulardata link are not limited to monetary costs but are also able toinclude, for example, energy consumption associated with using therespective data link in a battery powered device. Any other “costs”associated with the use of a particular data link are also able to beincorporated into the data allocation determination of various examples.Monetary costs, for example, are defined by the operators of the datalinks. Power consumption is set by the design of the hardwareimplementing the particular data link. Costs of transferring data over aparticular data link are quantities that are generally defined outsideof the data allocation processing described below and provided as partof, for example, device configuration data. Based upon the difference incost for using the two data links, the low speed data link 206 ispreferred over the high speed data link 208 and algorithms that allocatethe data packets between these two links will maximize the use of thelow speed data link 206 while satisfying the data transfer performancerequirements for a particular data transfer.

The data transfer 200 illustrates a transfer of data from the transmitbuffer 202 in the data sender 280 to a receive buffer 204 in the datareceiver 282. The data receiver 282 is generally remote from the datasender 280. In the above described multiple data link wirelesscommunications scenario 100, the data sender 280, and its transmitbuffer 202, is associated with the data allocation processor 106. Thedata receiver 282, and its receive buffer 204, is associated with thewireless communications device 102. In order to simplify the discussionof this example, the following description describes the transfer of thedata set in the transmit buffer 202 to the receive buffer 204 by usingtwo data links. The principals of this illustration and discussion areable to be extended to transferring data over more than two data links.In one example, these two or more data links are implemented usingdifferent data communications networks that use different datacommunications protocols.

The data transfer 200 illustrates a transmit data buffer 202 thatdepicts a set of eight consecutive data packets at the beginning of thetransmit data buffer 202. These eight data packets are shown in thebeginning of the transmit data buffer 202 and depicted as a data packetA 210, a data packet B 212, a data packet C 214, a data packet D 216, adata packet E 218, a data packet F 220, a data packet G 222, and a datapacket H 224. The size of the transmit buffer 202 is arbitrary and isable to contain a data set of any size that is to be transferred to areceiving device, such as the wireless communications device 102described above. For example, further data packets are able to be storedin the transmit buffer as indicated by ellipses to the right of datapacket H 224. Additionally, the data set to be transferred is able togrow dynamically, such as with a live streaming video data feed.

In order to simplify the following discussion and facilitate anunderstanding of the concepts of the described processing, these twodata links are described as transferring data packets that each containsequal amounts of data. It is clear that the different data links used tocommunicate a data set are each able to accept, use, or accept and usedata packets containing different amounts of data. Further, a particulardata link is also able to accept data packets of varying sizes. Aparticular data link is also able to be configured before, during orbefore and during, a single data set transmission to change the size ofdata packets used to transfer data.

The data transfer 200 depicts four time intervals during which datapackets are transferred from the transmit buffer 202 to the receivebuffer 204. These four time intervals are shown as consecutive timeintervals of equal duration and are depicted as a first time interval T₁250, a second time interval T₂ 252, a third time interval T₃ 254, and afourth time interval T₄ 256. These four time intervals furtherillustrate two phases of the data transfer 200. The first phase of thedata transfer 200 is a buffering phase 260 that consists of the firsttime interval T₁ 250 and the second time interval T₂ 252. The secondphase of the data transfer is a streaming phase 262 that consists of thethird time interval T₃ 254 and the fourth time interval T₄ 256.

These two data transfer phases generally correspond to two modes of datatransfer when communicating streaming data, such as streaming audio dataor video data. When a streaming data transfer begins, the data transferis generally in the buffering phase 260 wherein a portion of thestreaming data is received and accumulated into a buffer by thereceiving device. Receiving and accumulating data into a buffer isreferred to herein as “buffering.” The data accumulated in this bufferis later read out during time intervals when data transfers are slowerthan the streaming rate of the data or when the data transfer stops dueto various communications factors.

After a sufficient amount of data is contained in a receive buffer, thedata transfer changes to the streaming phase 262 where the data transferrate can be adjusted to supply only the amount of data being consumed bythe streaming data presentation, such as a presentation of streamingaudio, video, or audio and video. In general, a particular data transferis able to alternate between these two phases where the transferre-enters the buffering phase when data is partially depleted from thebuffer during times of slow or no data communications. The illustrateddivision of time intervals between buffering phases and streaming phasesis only one example, and the state of a data link generally changesbetween these two phases at different intervals.

In the buffering phase 260 of this example, the data transfer 200 has arequirement for a maximum data transfer rate using the available datalinks. In further examples, the buffering phase is able to specify anydata communications requirement, such as minimum data communicationsspeeds, maximum latency, or combinations of performance requirements.Some data sets specify required quality of service parameters thatdefine data communications requirements to properly receive and consumethe data set. Once a defined amount of data has been accumulated intothe buffer, the data transfer 200 enters a streaming phase 262. In thestreaming phase, the data transfer 200 specifies data communicationsrequirements based on the requirements for the particular streaming dataset being transferred. In one example, during the buffering phase 260the transfer is able to specify high data transfer speeds but fairly lowperformance (i.e., long) latency requirements. During the streamingphase 262, the transfer is able to specify lower data transferthroughput rates but more stringent (i.e., short) data latencyrequirements in order to maintain a proper streaming data presentationat the receiver. In the example described below, the low speed data link206 is able to satisfy the data transfer speed and other performancerequirements while in the streaming phase.

In the following discussion, the low speed data link 206 is shown to beable to transfer one packet in the time that the high speed data link208 is able to transfer two packets. This relationship is chosen tosimplify the description of the processing used to efficiently utilizethese two data links to accomplish a data set transfer. The relativecosts of transferring data over each of these two data links is alsodescribed below as being inversely related to the speed of the two datalinks. These relationships are chosen as one example for illustrationpurposes and are not a generalized description of a relationship betweenor among multiple data links used to communicate data. The methods andsystems described below are able to utilize multiple data links thathave any relationship between their various performance parameters, costparameters, or performance and cost parameters.

The data transfer 200 depicts four time intervals during which datapackets are transferred from the transmit buffer 202 to the receivebuffer 204. During a first time interval T₁ 250, data packet A 210 istransferred over the low speed data link 206 while data packet B 212 anddata packet C 214 are transferred over the high speed data link 208.During a second time interval T₂ 252, data packet D 216 is transferredover the low speed data link 206 while data packet E 218 and data packetF 220 are transferred over the high speed data link 208. As describedabove, the first time interval T₁ 250 and the second time interval T₂252 occur during a buffering phase 260 of the data transfer 200.

During a streaming phase 262 of the data transfer 200, data packet G 222is transferred over the low speed data link 206 during the third timeinterval T₃ 254 and data packet H 224 is also transferred over the lowspeed data link 206 during the fourth time interval T₄ 256. Because inthis example the low speed data link 206 is able to satisfy thecommunications performance for the data set during the streaming phase262 of the data transfer 200, no data is transferred over the high speeddata link 208 during the streaming phase 262. In another example, thelow speed data link 206 exhibits communications performance below therequired levels specified for the data set characteristics for thestreaming phase, and some data packets in such examples are alsotransferred over the high speed data link 208 to satisfy the overallcommunications performance requirement for the streaming phase 262 ofthe data transfer 200.

Received packets are stored in the receive buffer 204 in their properorder. The order of received data packets is able to be determined by,for example, information encapsulated with the data packets fortransmission by a data communications protocol. The data packetstransferred during the buffering phase 260, namely data packet A 210,data packet B 212, data packet C 214, data packet D 216, data packet E218, and data packet F 220, are shown to fill the receive buffer below athreshold 264. The threshold 264 depicts a buffering threshold thatrepresents an amount of data that is to be accumulated in the receivebuffer during the buffering phase 260 in order to properly supportstreaming data playback. Once the amount of received and buffered datareaches the threshold 264, the data transfer is able to transition tothe streaming phase 262.

The location of threshold 264 is shown as an example. In operation, thereceive buffer 204 used as a streaming media receive buffer operates ina manner that allows newly received data to be added to the end of thebuffer while data being consumed is extracted from the front of thebuffer. Various buffer structures, such as a “ring buffer” structure,cause a movement during the course of a data transfer of the location inthe buffer at which unused data is stored. In such structures, the“threshold” value relates to the amount of unused data stored in thebuffer and is not a fixed location in the buffer. Once data packets areaccumulated into the receive buffer 204, these multiple data packets aretransferred to a data processor 276. The data processor 276 receives themultiple data packets that are accumulated in the receive buffer 204 andprocesses those data packets to produce an output data stream. Thisoutput data stream is then output in a suitable manner, such as throughan audio or audio/video display, as a data output delivered through awired or wireless interface to another device, or in any other outputformat.

In one example, a data link analyzer 274 located within the datareceiver 282 monitors the amount of data contained in the receivedbuffer 204 and also monitors performance metrics of the individual datalinks available at the receiver. The data link analyzer 274 determines,based upon observed data link operating characteristics, currentperformance metrics for each data link available between the data sender280 and the data receiver 282. The data link analyzer 274 furtherdetermines variations in data communications requirements based upon,for example, if the available contents within the receive buffer 204 areabove or below the threshold 264. The data link analyzer 274 of oneexample determines, based upon the determined current performancemetrics for each data link, an allocation of data across multiplecommunications links for transmission from the transmit buffer 202 tothe receive buffer 204. Data allocation data 270 that includes anindication of this determined allocation of data in one example iscommunicated to the data allocation processor 272 of the data sender280. In one example, the data allocation data 270 specifies a ratio ofthe amount of data to transfer over each data link. In a particularexample, the observed data communications performance of the low speeddata link 206 and the high speed data link 208 could result in a dataallocation data specification that 40% of the data is to be transferredover the high speed data link 208 while 60% of the data is to betransferred over the low speed data link 206.

In further examples, the data link analyzer 274 only determines datalink performance metrics and an indication of data communicationsrequirements. Examples of an indication of data communicationsrequirements include a communications phase such as the buffering phase260 or the streaming phase 262. The data link analyzer 274 of thisexample then transmits data allocation data 270 that includes thedetermined data link performance metrics and the indication of datacommunications requirements.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data link monitoring process 300, in accordancewith one example. The data link monitoring process 300 in one example isa background process performed by a data receiving device to determinewhich data links are currently available, and also to determine theperformance characteristics of each available data link.

The data link monitoring process 300 begins by determining, if a datatransfer is currently active. In one example, data links currently beingused to transfer data are analyzed to determine the data transfercharacteristics of those links. Determining the actual, currentlyrealized performance characteristics of an active data link allows amore accurate and efficient determination of how to allocate data acrosstwo or more data links.

If a data transfer is not active, the data link monitoring process 300monitors, at 304, the status of available data links. Data links mayreport signal degradation, changes in modulation formats that alter themaximum capacity of the data link at a particular time, or otherinformation that can be used to evaluate the expected performance of theparticular data link in a data transfer.

If a data transfer is active, the data link monitoring process 300continues by detecting, at 306, if a new data link is available. A newdata link can be come available, for example, if a receiving deviceenters a geographic coverage area for the wireless data link. If a newdata link is detected to be available, the data link monitoring process300 continues to estimate, at 308, the performance of the new data link.

If a new data link was not detected to have become available, the datalink monitoring process 300 continues to detect, at 310, if an activedata link has been lost. An active data link becomes lost, for example,if a receiving device leaves a geographic coverage area for a wirelessdata link. If it is determined that an active data link has not beenlost, the data link monitoring process 300 continues by determining, at312, the performance of the active data links. Determining performanceof active data links is performed by any technique available for theparticular data link, such as by monitoring characteristics of datatransfer operations.

The data link monitoring process 300 continues to detect, at 314, if theperformance of any of the active data links has changed. This change isdetected, for example, by comparing the performance characteristicsdetermined at 312 with performance characteristics that were previouslydetermined for those links and stored in a data storage. If a change inthe performance of the active links has not been detected, the data linkmonitoring process 300 returns to determining, at 302, if a datatransfer is active.

After the data link monitoring process 300 estimates, at 308, theperformance characteristics of a new data link, after detecting, at 310,that an active data link has not been lost, or after detecting, at 314,that the performance characteristic of an active data link has changed,the data link monitoring process 300 determines, at 316, an allocationof data among the active data links. In one example, such as in responseto a change in performance, the loss or acquisition of a data link, thisallocation of data is a reallocation of data to be transmitted over theavailable data links. This reallocation is determined so as to satisfythe data transfer performance requirements for a current data transferwhile satisfying a cost function, such as minimizing costs. The datalink monitoring process 300 then returns to determining, at 302, if adata transfer is active.

FIG. 4 is a determine data allocation process 400, in accordance withone example. The determine data allocation process 400 is an example ofa process performed by a wireless communications device 102 to determinean allocation of data across multiple data links in order to achievedesired data transfer performance and cost specifications and goals. Thefollowing discussion is based upon an example of a portable electronicdevice operated by a person to receive and use data. Examples of datatransferred to the portable electronic device include streaming audiopresentation, streaming video presentations, graphical presentations,and the like. The determine data allocation process 400 is able to besimilarly used by any electronic device that is able to multiplex thecommunication of data over multiple data links. In this example, datacommunications links are selected based in part on the cost of using thelink. In various examples, different cost functions and criteria areable to be used. One example of a cost is a monetary cost oftransferring data over a particular link. Another example of a cost thatcan be minimized by selecting different combinations of data linksinclude power consumed by the communications equipment for each link,particularly in battery powered applications.

The determine data allocation process 400 begins by initiating, at 402,a data set transfer. The data set transfer is able to originate inresponse to actions at either the device performing the determine dataallocation process 400 or is able to originate at a remote device, suchas the device sending the data.

The determine data allocation process 400 continues by determining, at404, if the data set transfer has performance requirements. Examples ofdata set transfers that have performance requirements include streamingdata conveying audio, video, or combinations of audio and video.Examples of data set transfers that do not have performance requirementsinclude bulk data transfers such as downloading of user applications,and the like. Examples of performance requirements that can be specifiedfor a data transfer include a minimum data communications speed, such asa minimum number of average bits per second transferred over the link,and maximum latency, such as a maximum number of milliseconds for a datapacket to travel from its origination to its destination over the link.

If it is determined that the transfer does not have performancerequirements, the lowest cost data link is selected for the datatransfer, at 406. The device performing the determine data allocationprocess 400 communicates, at 407, an indication to the transmitter thatthe selected data link is to be used to transfer the data.

If it is determined that the transfer does have performancerequirements, the determine data allocation process 400 continues byreceiving, at 408, portions of the data set being transferred over oneor more of the available data links. In various examples, data is ableto be sent over a default set of data links, or devices may beconfigured to initially send data over all available data links.

The determine data allocation process 400 continues by determining, at409, the current performance of each available data link. Performancequantities that are measured include, for example, an average speed ofdata transfer and statistics concerning the latency of datatransmission. In one example, the current performance of a data linkthat is currently transferring data is determined by monitoring theperformance of the operating data link. Current performance for a datalink that is not currently transferring data but that is available fordata transmission is able to be estimated based on specifications forthe design or operation of the data link. A data link is available on anelectronic device if it has a connection with a remote communicationsnode with which the electronic device is to exchange data.

The determine data allocation process 400 continues by determining, at410, an allocation of data among available data links to achieve thecurrently required transfer performance while minimizing costs. Invarious examples, an allocation of data among the available data linksis determined so as to minimize costs as specified for the availabledata links while satisfying data transfer performance requirements. Theallocation of data is determined in one example at a receiver of thedata. The data receiver is generally a device that is operating with theavailable data links and is a central location that has ready access tothe availability, performance characteristics, and other datacommunications characteristics for the potentially disparate data linksavailable to the receiver. In general, the current data link performancecharacteristics and availability for all available data links are betterable to be determined at a receiver than at other nodes of datacommunications networks. In one example, a specification of a percentageof the data to be transferred is determined for the allocation of data.In one example, an allocation of data may be determined that specifiesthat 60% of data is to be transferred over one available data like and40% of data is to be transferred over another available data link.

The determine data allocation process 400 continues by sending, at 412,an indication of the determined allocation to the data transmitter. Theindication of the determined allocation of data is able to convey, forexample, percentages of that total data transfer that are to betransferred from the sender over different data links. The indication isable to be sent from a data receiver to a data receiver over, forexample, a reverse channel of one of the available data links. Thisindication is generally able to be communicated by any data transmissionpath available between the data receiver and the data sender.

The determine data allocation process 400 then continues by determining,at 414, the current performance of the data links. The performance ofthe data links is again determined at this point in order to incorporatechanges in the performance of the particular data links into thedetermination of the allocation of the data to be transferred over theavailable data links. Changes in the performance of a particular datalink may be an improvement, such as by obtaining a stronger signal, or adegradation, such as by suffering a reduction in signal strength.Determining the current performance of the data links is also able todetermine that new data links have become available, such as by enteringcoverage of a WLAN system, or that previously existing data links are nolonger available.

The determine data allocation process 400 next determines, at 416, ifthe current allocation of data satisfies data transfer performancerequirements while minimizing costs. This determination may be affectedby a change in performance of a data link currently being used totransfer data, by a loss of a data link currently being used to transferdata, by an increase in performance of a data link being used totransfer data, by a detection of a newly available data link, or anycombination of these events.

If it is determined that the current allocation of data does not satisfythe data transfer performance requirements while minimizing costs, thedetermine data allocation process 400 returns to determine, at 410, anallocation of data among available links to achieve the currentlyrequired transfer performance while minimizing costs. If it isdetermined that the current allocation of data satisfies data transferperformance requirements while minimizing costs, the determine dataallocation process 400 determines, at 418, if the data transfer isfinished. If the data transfer is not finished, the determine dataallocation process 400 returns to determine, at 414, the currentperformance of available data links. If the data transfer is finished,the determine data allocation process 400 ends.

FIG. 5 is a streaming data performance requirement determination process500, according to one example. The streaming data performancerequirement determination process 500 is performed in the course oftransferring streaming data to a device, where the receiving deviceincludes a buffer to temporarily store data prior to being processed bya processing application and, for example, presented to a user.

The streaming data performance requirement determination process 500starts by beginning, at 502, streaming data with minimum speed andmaximum latency requirements. Streaming data in further examples areable to have any type or variation of specified minimum data transferperformance requirements.

The streaming data performance requirement determination process 500continues by determining, at 504, if the buffer contents are below athreshold. The threshold for the buffer contents is able to be definedbased upon a number of considerations, such as expected variation indata transfer performance requiring data from the buffer to be suppliedto processing applications without immediate replenishment by the datalinks.

If it is determined that the buffer contents are below the threshold,the streaming data performance requirement determination process 500 ofone example sets, at 506, the current transfer requirements to maximumspeed. The maximum transmission speed is selected in order to mostrapidly fill the buffer to a level above the threshold and minimize userwaiting for the start of a streaming data presentation.

If it is determined that the buffer contents are not below thethreshold, the streaming data performance requirement determinationprocess 500 sets, at 508, the current data transfer requirements to aminimum speed and maximum latency that can be tolerated by theparticular streaming data. In one example, streaming data includesmetadata that specifies this minimum speed and maximum latency.

After setting the requirements to maximum speed, at 506, or to theminimum requirements for the streaming data, at 508, the streaming dataperformance requirement determination process 500 determines, at 510, anallocation among available data links to achieve the current transferrequirement and minimize costs. The streaming data performancerequirement determination process 500 then continues to determine, at512, if the streaming data transfer is finished. If the streaming datatransfer is not finished, the streaming data performance requirementdetermination process 500 returns to determining, at 504, if the buffercontents are below the threshold. If the streaming data transfer isfinished, the streaming data performance requirement determinationprocess 500 ends.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device and associatedcomponents 600 in which the systems and methods disclosed herein may beimplemented. In this example, an electronic device 652 is a wirelesstwo-way communication device with voice and data communicationcapabilities, such as the wireless communications device 102. Suchelectronic devices communicate with a wireless voice or data network 650using a suitable wireless communications protocol. Wireless voicecommunications are performed using either an analog or digital wirelesscommunication channel. Data communications allow the electronic device652 to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.Examples of electronic devices that are able to incorporate the abovedescribed systems and methods include, for example, a data messagingdevice, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messagingcapabilities, a wireless Internet appliance or a data communicationdevice that may or may not include telephony capabilities.

The illustrated electronic device 652 is an example electronic devicethat includes two-way wireless communications functions. Such electronicdevices incorporate a communication subsystem 656 that includes elementssuch as a wireless transmitter 610, a wireless receiver 612, a digitalsignal processor (DSP) 608, and associated components such as one ormore antenna elements 614 and 616. The digital signal processor (DSP)608 performs processing to extract data from received wireless signalsand to generate signals to be transmitted. The particular design of thecommunication subsystem is dependent upon the communication network andassociated wireless communications protocols with which the device isintended to operate.

A short-range communications subsystem 620 is a further component in oneexample that provides communication between the electronic device 652and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similardevices. Examples of short-range communication subsystems 620 include aninfrared device and associated circuits and components, or a RadioFrequency based communication subsystem such as a

Bluetooth®, or a Zigbee®, communication subsystem to provide forcommunication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.

A WLAN interface 622 performs communications with a WLAN access point(not shown) to implement a generally local wireless data communications.An example of a WLAN interface 622 includes a radio interface for aWi-Fi® network. The electronic device is able to optionally use the WLANinterface 622, either alone or in combination with other wireless datacircuits such as the short range communications subsystem 620, thewireless transmitter 610 and the wireless receiver 612 in conjunctionwith a DSP 608, or any combination of these elements, to perform datacommunications. In particular, substantially simultaneous use ofmultiple data links to perform a transfer of one data set, as isdetailed above, is able to be performed using any combination of thesewireless communications resources.

The electronic device 652 includes a microprocessor 602 that controlsthe overall operation of the electronic device 652. The microprocessor602 interacts with the above described communications subsystem elementsand also interacts with other device subsystems such as flash memory606, random access memory (RAM) 604, auxiliary input/output (I/O) device638, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port 628, display 634, keyboard 636,speaker 632, microphone 630, a short-range communications subsystem 620,a WLAN interface 622, a power subsystem and charging controller 626, andany other device subsystems. In one example, the microprocessor 602monitors data link performance characteristics and determines anallocation of data for transmission over two or more data links to theelectronic device 652, as is described above.

A power pack 624 is connected to a power subsystem and chargingcontroller 626. The power pack 624 provides power to the circuits of theelectronic device 652. The power subsystem and charging controller 626is also able to receive power from an external power supply 654 that issometimes connected through a power connector of the electronic device652 or through the USB port 628. The power subsystem and chargingcontroller 626 includes power distribution circuitry for providing powerto the electronic device 652 and also contains power pack chargingcontroller circuitry to manage recharging the power pack 624 when poweris available from, for example, an external power supply 654.

The USB port 628 provides data communication between the electronicdevice 652 and one or more external devices. Data communication throughUSB port 628 enables a user to set preferences through the externaldevice or through a software application and extends the capabilities ofthe device by enabling information or software exchange through directconnections between the electronic device 652 and external data sourcesrather than through a wireless data communication network.

Operating system software used by the microprocessor 602 is stored inflash memory 606. Further examples are able to use a power packbacked-up RAM or other non-volatile storage data elements to storeoperating systems, other executable programs, or both. The operatingsystem software, device application software, or parts thereof, are ableto be temporarily loaded into volatile data storage such as RAM 604.Data received via wireless communication signals or through wiredcommunications are also able to be stored to RAM 604.

The microprocessor 602, in addition to its operating system functions,is able to execute software applications on the electronic device 652. Apredetermined set of applications that control basic device operations,including at least data and voice communication applications, is able tobe installed on the electronic device 652 during manufacture. Examplesof applications that are able to be loaded onto the device may be apersonal information manager (PIM) application having the ability toorganize and manage data items relating to the device user, such as, butnot limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, andtask items.

Further applications may also be loaded onto the electronic device 652through, for example, the wireless network 650, an auxiliary I/O device638, USB port 628, short-range communications subsystem 620, WLANinterface 622, or any combination of these interfaces. Such applicationsare then able to be installed by a user in the RAM 604 or a non-volatilestore for execution by the microprocessor 602.

In a data communication mode, data contained in a received signal isprovided the microprocessor 602 after being processed by one or more ofthe wireless receiver 612 and wireless transmitter 610, the WLANinterface 622, the short range communications subsystem 620, orcombinations of these circuits. The microprocessor 602 is able tofurther process the received data for output to the display 634, oralternatively, to an auxiliary I/O device 638 or the USB port 628. Auser of the electronic device 652 may also compose data items, such ase-mail messages, using the keyboard 636, which is able to include acomplete alphanumeric keyboard or a telephone-type keypad, inconjunction with the display 634 and possibly an auxiliary I/O device638. Such composed items are then able to be transferred over acommunication network through the communication subsystem.

For voice communications, overall operation of the electronic device 652is substantially similar, except that received signals are generallyprovided to a speaker 632 and signals for transmission are generallyproduced by a microphone 630. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems,such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented onthe electronic device 652. Although voice or audio signal output isgenerally accomplished primarily through the speaker 632, the display634 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of acalling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call relatedinformation, for example.

Depending on conditions or statuses of the electronic device 652, one ormore particular functions associated with a subsystem circuit may bedisabled, or an entire subsystem circuit may be disabled. For example,if the power pack temperature is high, then voice functions may bedisabled, but data communications, such as e-mail, may still be enabledover the communication subsystem.

A media reader 660 is able to be connected to an auxiliary I/O device638 to allow, for example, loading computer readable program code of acomputer program product into the electronic device 652 for storage intoflash memory 606. One example of a media reader 660 is an optical drivesuch as a CD/DVD drive, which may be used to store data to and read datafrom a computer readable medium or storage product such as computerreadable storage media 662. Examples of suitable computer readablestorage media include optical storage media such as a CD or DVD,magnetic media, or any other suitable data storage device. Media reader660 is alternatively able to be connected to the electronic devicethrough the USB port 628 or computer readable program code isalternatively able to be provided to the electronic device 652 throughthe wireless network 650.

Information Processing System

The present subject matter can be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. A system can be realized in acentralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashionwhere different elements are spread across several interconnectedcomputer systems. Any kind of computer system—or other apparatus adaptedfor carrying out the methods described herein—is suitable. A typicalcombination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computersystem with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed,controls the computer system such that it carries out the methodsdescribed herein.

The present subject matter can also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computersystem—is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in thepresent context means any expression, in any language, code or notation,of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following a) conversionto another language, code or, notation; and b) reproduction in adifferent material form.

Each computer system may include, inter alia, one or more computers andat least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read data,instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readableinformation from the computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium may include computer readable storage medium embodyingnon-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, diskdrive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. Additionally, acomputer medium may include volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cachememory, and network circuits.

Non-Limiting Examples

Although specific embodiments of the subject matter have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosed subject matter. The scope of the disclosureis not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and itis intended that the appended claims cover any and all suchapplications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining allocation of dataacross multiple data communications networks, comprising: determining,based on receiving a first data set sent from a transmitter through afirst data communications network to a data receiver, a firstcharacteristic of the first data communications network, the transmitterbeing remote from the data receiver; determining, based on receiving asecond data set sent from the transmitter through a second datacommunications network to the data receiver, a second characteristic ofthe second data communication network; determining, at the data receiverbased on determining the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic, an allocation of data between the first datacommunications network and the second communications network for sendingdata from the transmitter to the receiver, the allocation satisfying atleast one data transfer performance requirement associated with the dataset; and sending, from the data receiver to the transmitter, anindication of the allocation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theindication comprises a respective specification of an amount of data totransfer over the first data communications network and a respectivespecification of an amount of data to transfer over the second datacommunications network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstcharacteristic and the second characteristic comprise at least one ofreceived data throughput rate, transmission latency, and availability.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one data transferperformance requirement comprises one of data set buffering speed, datatransmission latency, data set streaming quality of service, and datatransfer speed.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining, prior to determining the second characteristic, anavailability of the second data communications network, wherein thedetermining the second characteristic is performed based on determiningthe second characteristic.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting, subsequent to the determining the allocation of data, achange in at least one of the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic; determining, based on detecting the change in at leastone of the first characteristic and the second characteristic, areallocation of data between the first data communications network andthe second communications network, the reallocation satisfying the atleast one data transfer performance requirement associated with the dataset; and sending, to a transmitter of the data set, an indication of thereallocation.
 7. The method of claim 1, the first data communicationsnetwork using a first data communications protocol, and the second datacommunications network using a second data communications protocol thatis different from the first data communications protocol.
 8. The methodof claim 7, further comprising: determining, prior to determining theallocation of data, an availability of a third data communicationsnetwork for communications, the third data communications network beingdifferent than the first data communications network and the second datacommunications network and using a third data communications protocolthat is different than the first data communications protocol and thesecond data communications protocol; and determining a thirdcharacteristic of the third data communication network, wherein thedetermining the allocation of data is further performed based ondetermining the third characteristic, p1 wherein the determining theallocation of data is further based upon the third characteristic.
 9. Anapparatus for determining allocation of data across multiple datacommunications networks, the apparatus comprising: a data link analyzerconfigured to: determine, based on receiving a first data set sentthrough a first data communications network to a data receiver from atransmitter that is remote from the data receiver, a firstcharacteristic of the first data communications network; determine,based on receiving a second data set sent through a second datacommunications network to the data receiver from the transmitter, asecond characteristic of the second data communication network;determine, based on the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic, an allocation of data between the first datacommunications network and the second communications network for sendingdata from the transmitter to the data receiver, the allocationsatisfying at least one data transfer performance requirement associatedwith the data set; and send, to a transmitter of the data set, anindication of the allocation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theindication comprises a respective specification of an amount of data totransfer over the first data communications network and a respectivespecification of an amount of data to transfer over the second datacommunications network.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firstcharacteristic and the second characteristic comprise at least one ofreceived data throughput rate, transmission latency, and availability.12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one data transferperformance requirement comprises one of data set buffering speed, datatransmission latency, data set streaming quality of service, and datatransfer speed.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the data linkanalyzer is further configured to determine, prior to determining thesecond characteristic, an availability of the second data communicationsnetwork, wherein the determining the second characteristic is performedbased on determining the second characteristic.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the data link analyzer is further configured to:detect, subsequent to the determining the allocation of data, a changein at least one of the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic; determine, based on detecting the change in at least oneof the first characteristic and the second characteristic, areallocation of data between the first data communications network andthe second communications network, the reallocation satisfying the atleast one data transfer performance requirement associated with the dataset; and send, to a transmitter of the data set, an indication of thereallocation.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first datacommunications network uses a first data communications protocol, andwherein the second data communications network uses a second datacommunications protocol that is different from the first datacommunications protocol.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the datareceiver is further configured to: determine, prior to determining theallocation of data, an availability of a third data communicationsnetwork for communications, the third data communications network beingdifferent than the first data communications network and the second datacommunications network and using a third data communications protocolthat is different than the first data communications protocol and thesecond data communications protocol; and determine a thirdcharacteristic of the third data communication network, and wherein thedata link analyzer is further configured to determine the allocation ofdata in further response to determining the third characteristic, andwherein the determining the allocation of data is further based upon thethird characteristic.
 17. A computer program product for determiningallocation of data across multiple data communications networks, thecomputer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium having computer readable program code embedded therewith,the computer readable program code comprising instructions for:determining, based on receiving a first data set sent from a transmitterthrough a first data communications network to a data receiver, a firstcharacteristic of the first data communications network, the transmitterbeing remote from the data receiver; determining, based on receiving asecond data set sent from the transmitter through a second datacommunications network to the data receiver, a second characteristic ofthe second data communication network; determining, at the data receiverbased on determining the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic, an allocation of data between the first datacommunications network and the second communications network for sendingdata from the transmitter to the receiver, the allocation satisfying atleast one data transfer performance requirement associated with the dataset; and sending, from the data receiver to the transmitter, anindication of the allocation.
 18. The computer program product of claim17, the computer readable program code further comprising instructionsfor: determining, prior to determining the second characteristic, anavailability of the second data communications network, wherein thedetermining the second characteristic is performed based on determiningthe second characteristic.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17,the computer readable program code further comprising instructions for:detecting, subsequent to the determining the allocation of data, achange in at least one of the first characteristic and the secondcharacteristic; and determining, based on detecting the change in atleast one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic, areallocation of data between the first data communications network andthe second communications network, the reallocation satisfying the atleast one data transfer performance requirement associated with the dataset; and sending, to a transmitter of the data set, an indication of thereallocation.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, the firstdata communications network using a first data communications protocol,and the second data communications network using a second datacommunications protocol that is different from the first datacommunications protocol, the computer readable program code furthercomprising instructions for: determining, prior to determining theallocation of data, an availability of a third data communicationsnetwork for communications, the third data communications network beingdifferent than the first data communications network and the second datacommunications network and using a third data communications protocolthat is different than the first data communications protocol and thesecond data communications protocol; and determining, a thirdcharacteristic of the third data communication network, wherein thedetermining the allocation of data is further performed based ondetermining the third characteristic, wherein the determining theallocation of data is further based upon the third characteristic.